Noise from front LHS - Wheel bearing? *UPDATE*

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:49 pm

I have noticed on a couple of occasions that when I drive fairly fastly through tight righthanders I can hear a kind of grinding/scraping noise from the fornt LHS of the car. It is a wee bit hard to replicate but if I take a take a roundabout pretty fast I can hear it.
I do not think it is the brakes as I do not hear it at any other time even under very hard braking. I couldn't even say that I am on the brakes when it hapens (only 2 or 3 times so far).
Is it likely to be a wheel bearing? Is there a way I can check?
I was going to have a go at a B service myself this week but now wonder if I should just bite the bullet and put it into a garage.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Stewart

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:34 am

Could be the disc shields if fitted. As for the bearing, it's not a difficult job and there's a few folk on here with a press once the hub has been removed from the car.

Mac

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:37 am

I have been giving it more though as it just doesn't sound all that mechanical. Could it be possible that he tyre is rubbing on the inner wheel liner or arch whilst under load and at almost full lock? I have standard sized tyres on the front i.e. 185's

Stewart

robin · Post by **robin** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:03 pm

Is your suspension standard or lowered - if lowered you can get the mudflaps to touch the ground quite happily, but that's a scraping sound - get a passenger (preferably a fat barsteward like me) and do some roundabouts - if something is rubbing the ground or the wheel arch you'll soon find out!

Cheers,
Robin

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:23 pm

I did think about it being the mud flaps as the car is slightly lowered with Steve Butts S2 suspension. However I checked the mudflaps yesterday and they are both scrape free.
Just had a look inside the arch and no sign of any rubbing, so no further forward really. I'll try some more roundabouts as you suggest.

On the plus side I was wondering what to get up to on this weeks holiday and joy of joy I see that both steering rack gaiters are split

Looks lke Eliseparts will be receiving some of my hard earned this week.

Stewart

Post by **Shug** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:26 pm

bernie_eccle wrote:
On the plus side I was wondering what to get up to on this weeks holiday and joy of joy I see that both steering rack gaiters are split
Looks lke Eliseparts will be receiving some of my hard earned this week.

Stewart

Oh arse

Check the steering for any play - doesn't take long for muck to get in there and feck the balljoints on the end of the rack when the gaitors split....

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:58 pm

The wheel bearing sounds more like a drone when the wheel is under load.
I fitted steering rack boots without removing the rack by putting a cable tie loosley round the rack and then using a long forked piece of rod to tighten it up like a spam tin key

Scottd · Post by **Scottd** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:12 pm

bernie_eccle wrote:I did think about it being the mud flaps as the car is slightly lowered with Steve Butts S2 suspension. However I checked the mudflaps yesterday and they are both scrape free.
Just had a look inside the arch and no sign of any rubbing, so no further forward really. I'll try some more roundabouts as you suggest.

On the plus side I was wondering what to get up to on this weeks holiday and joy of joy I see that both steering rack gaiters are split
Looks lke Eliseparts will be receiving some of my hard earned this week.

Stewart

Stewart, I had a front LHS bearing go, and that's one possible explanation... but! I've not long had Steve Butts kit + S2 suspension fitted and since been getting a very tinny noise under turning, but only very occasionaly. Quite different from the wheel bearing noise. I don't know if this is what you have but I strongly suspect mine is the brake disc shield thingy (as mentioned above). Can't see where it might be touching tho, nor know how to fix it!

Scott

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:31 pm

If you reverse when you hear the noise if it is a stone in the brake sheild then it will come out 9 times out of 10 and the noise will go away. try that

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:31 pm

Right, I drove the car fairly sedately last night without the radio on i.e. I could hear what was happening. I can hear a slight noise when steering left at low speeds which disappears when I steer right.
I got home and jacked the car up and grabbed the wheel at 12 & 6 o'clock. I could feel a bit of movement - call it quarter of inch. Couldn't feel too much at 3 & 9 o'clock before the steering moves.
Does this signify a gubbed bearing?
If so, I am on holiday next week and would intend to replace them both. I think I can get access to a press or at worst a big bench vice.
Where is the best place to buy them from? I see EliseParts has them for £37 each. I also found these on eBay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAESTRO-MONTEGO-M ... dZViewItem
Are these the fellas or is it best to steer well clear of this knid of thing on eBay.
I could try the local place "Cupar Bearing & Transmissions"
Any thoughts very welcome.
Cheers

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:09 am

Up down would prolly be the ball joints, left right would be toe links/steering rack/track rod ends. I would suggest chaging the ball joints but be carful of the type of joint in the box (Irrelevant of the part number on the box!!!!! Very important!) Stephen can sort you out a good deal and knows what sort of joints you will need.

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:30 am

It is really best to have someone move the wheel while you check for wheel bearings or balljoints.

I have recently obtained a few bearings and balljoints for emergency puposes in case anyone needs one on a Sunday. They are availbale as always on a replacement basis.

It's not too difficult a job and is a good insight into the car workings.

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:35 am

BTW those ebay bearings are not the ones we use

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:02 am

http://www.tadts.com seem pretty good for ball joints and bearings, but Stephen may be able to get them too once he gets back form hols.

Scottish Elises

Noise from front LHS - Wheel bearing? UPDATE

Noise from front LHS - Wheel bearing? UPDATE